Service-learning (SL) during wartime as a global issue

The Rule of Law in Armed Conflict (RULAC) online portal,  developed by the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, stands as the sole independent source offering a global classification of armed conflicts under international humanitarian law (IHL). According to its annual report by the close of 2023 over 110 armed conflicts across no fewer than 55 countries were monitored. The Middle East and North Africa are witnessing over 45 ongoing armed conflicts, with Asia hosting 19 non-international armed conflicts. In Europe, military occupations represent the majority, with four out of seven conflicts, while Latin America sees six non-international armed conflicts. Africa ranks second in the number of armed conflicts per region, with over 35 non-international armed conflicts. (Source: https://www.geneva-academy.ch/news/detail/722-our-2023-annual-report)

This backdrop underscores the selection of "Service Learning and World Peace" as one of the two primary themes at the 3rd Annual Africa Conference on Service Learning, held on September 5 to 6, 2024 by Tangaza University in Nairobi. The ServU project was represented by Olha Mykhailyshyn, who contributed to the panel discussion "Partnership for Peace & Emerging Issues" with the topic how Service Learning (SL) during war can be the tool for further peacebuilding.

The experience gained from participating in this conference showed that the issue of adapting the SL methodology to the conditions of war and post-war recovery is unique and in great demand. Wars and armed conflicts are increasingly becoming the norm, often leading to a shift in priorities to the detriment of higher education. Despite these challenges, we hope that SL can serve as a foundation for stable and meaningful learning experiences under such difficult conditions.